麻豆社

Competition

Why are we competitive? Is it a natural instinct?

• 17 mins

Diplomacy

How to get ahead in diplomacy, from negotiations to polite language and secret code words

• 17 mins

The Fool

Mike Williams asks why the fool or jester has been an important figure in many cultures

• 17 mins

Why Eye Contact is Important

Why is making eye contact so important?

• 17 mins

Accents

What do our accents say about us? Why do they matter?

• 17 mins

World War One: Patriotism

The power of patriotism from WW1 to today and truths and myths of the modern nation state

• 49 mins

World War One: National Pride

Why are we so drawn to symbols of statehood, and how can leaders use that loyalty?

• 17 mins

Coincidence

What is coincidence and why do we attach meaning to it?

• 17 mins

The Apology

Why do we say sorry 鈥� and what do we really mean by it?

• 17 mins

The Moon

Why has the moon fascinated humans from every culture and for all time?

• 17 mins

The Walk

Why do we go on long walks? Mike Williams finds out

• 17 mins

The Pilgrimage

Why do we go on pilgrimages?

• 17 mins

Chastity

Associated with morality, modesty, politics and religion why is chastity so complicated?

• 17 mins

Ghosts

Why do so many people claim to see ghosts?

• 17 mins

Gossip

Why do we like to gossip 鈥� and is it good for us?

• 17 mins

Gardens

Why do people have gardens and do gardening?

• 17 mins

The 100th Programme: The Life of Why

Celebrating the 100th edition of The Why Factor

• 17 mins

Protest

What brings people out into the streets to take direct action against the powerful?

• 17 mins

Risking Life For Strangers

Would you risk your life for a stranger?

• 17 mins

The Rivals

History鈥檚 greatest rivals, and the creative and destructive sides of rivalry

• 17 mins

What is Charisma?

Why is it so hard to pin down what we mean by charisma?

• 17 mins

Brands

Why do we place so much trust in brands? And who benefits from them?

• 17 mins

Karma

Is Karma fatalism or guidance on how to improve your life?

• 17 mins

Embarrassment

What is embarrassment, why do we feel it and is it a good thing? Mike Williams finds out

• 17 mins

Chess

How has the 1500-year-old game mirrored politics and changes in society?

• 17 mins

Memorialisation

How do we remember the dead and why does it matter?

• 49 mins

Memorialisation

How we remember the dead, and why does it matter?

• 17 mins

Poetry

Why do we read, or write poetry, as opposed to prose?

• 17 mins

Letters

The disappearing art of the hand-written letter and three stories of love

• 17 mins

Cookery

Why do we cook food rather than just eat it raw?

• 17 mins